Impacts and Adaptation Update - Climate Change Saskatchewan影响和适应气候变化的萨斯喀彻温省的更新.pptVIP

Impacts and Adaptation Update PEO Advisory Committee January 21, 2003 Overview Refresher on Impacts and Adaptation What is the issue? Link to climate change policy Impacts and Adaptation in the Kyoto Protocol Recent Developments Developments in Canada and Sask CCME Indicators Study What is the “Impacts and Adaptation” issue? Refers to: Impacts on nature and people from changes in climate Adaptations by plants, animals and humans to: Offset the harmful effects of the changes Take advantage of opportunities presented by the changes Adapt to the adaptations of others For example….. Increased levels of CO2 in atmosphere Direct impact on plant growth Not directly from “climate” Higher average temperatures Longer frost free seasons Indirect impact on growing season, crop types More rain, less snow Direct impact on river and stream flows Farmers adapt to impact on irrigation systems Watersheds impacted by farmer adaptations Animals adapt to impact on watersheds So what’s the issue? Plants, animals and humans have co-evolved with existing climate Changes to climate will affect: the size, health, location and sustainability of plant, animal and human populations and the benefits they derive from their environment and from each other To the degree that they are unable to adapt successfully Uncertainty is a key issue Difficult to predict what sorts of impacts will occur where and when Difficult to predict response from plant, human and animal populations Difficult to predict success of adaptations Or the impact of adaptations by one species upon others Difficult to discuss specific policy implications or adaptation requirements Link to Climate Change Policy If no prospect of impacts and the need to adapt Then we wouldn’t be so worried about emissions UNFCC objective is to stabilize GHG gases: …at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. UNFCC has specific sections on impacts and adaptation requirements to do address them at